Because freight to Cape Verde involves a long ocean journey and several handlings, we insist on:

• Stronger outer packaging – double‑wall cartons, robust pallets or crates, and strapping suitable for multiple lifts.
• Moisture protection – plastic liners and desiccants for textiles, electronics, and metal items, especially given Atlantic humidity.
• Clear, durable labels in English or Portuguese – with consignee name, island, and project/PO reference so cargo can be identified quickly at hubs and on islands.
• For high‑value or fragile items, wooden crating or extra foam protection, plus “tip and shock” indicators if appropriate.

If a supplier’s packing is clearly inadequate, we can reinforce or re‑pack at our China warehouse, and we will show you the cost and photos so you can address it with the factory for future orders.

Cape Verde applies:

• Import duties based on HS tariff codes and CIF value at the Cape Verde port/airport.
• VAT (IVA) on the customs value plus duty and certain fees at the applicable rate.
• Excise taxes or environmental levies on specific categories such as fuel, alcohol, tobacco, and some electronic equipment.

If you provide HS codes, values, and Incoterms, Top Logistics Ltd works with local brokerage partners to produce a landed‑cost estimate before shipping. While final amounts are confirmed only by Cape Verde Customs, this estimate helps you budget and set selling prices or project costs.

Yes. For hospitality projects we typically:

• Break the procurement list into logical waves: base build materials, MEP items, finishes, furniture, then soft goods and décor.
• Align each wave with specific sailings and feeder connections, with contingency built in for weather or port issues.
• Use short‑term storage at the hub or in Cape Verde to hold later‑phase cargo until the site is ready, preventing overcrowded stores.
• Provide detailed container packing lists by room or building area, allowing your site team to unpack and place items with minimal double‑handling.

This project‑style management is particularly valuable where labour and covered storage on the islands are limited and expensive.

Weather can affect:

• Port operations and feeder schedules – high winds or heavy seas may delay berthing or cause short‑notice cancellations.
• Inter‑island transfers – small vessels may be postponed for safety.

To mitigate, Top Logistics Ltd:

• Monitors storm forecasts and carrier advisories and avoids scheduling critical shipments to arrive at the very heart of storm seasons when possible.
• Builds reasonable time buffers around connections between main‑line and feeder legs.
• Encourages robust packing and cargo insurance so that, if a delay occurs or cargo is exposed to harsh conditions, financial risk is reduced.

We keep you informed of any forecasted disruptions and propose options—such as routing via a different hub or temporarily using air—for particularly time‑sensitive cargo.

Yes. Through local partners, Top Logistics Ltd can:

• Arrange short‑ and medium‑term warehousing in Praia or Mindelo for palletised and boxed cargo.
• Provide basic value‑added services such as carton sorting, repacking, and labelling for onward retail sale or project use.
• Organise island‑wide delivery to hotels, shops, and sites using appropriate vehicles, as well as transfers to ferries or inter‑island vessels.

This setup is particularly useful if you want to import a full container from China but deliver in smaller batches to different clients or islands.